Re-creation of Osterville recreation fields advances

Thursday

Nov 29, 2012 at 2:00 AMNov 29, 2012 at 11:00 PM

After viewing photos that emphasized the decrepitude of the recreation fields next to the former Osterville Bay Elementary School, the Community Preservation Committee endorsed the recreation department’s request for $32,000 for a conceptual design study for their improvement.

Edward F. Maroney

EDWARD F. MARONEY PHOTO

NOT AT A LEISURELY PACE – Patti Machado, the town’s director of leisure services, tells the Community Preservation Committee that prompt action is required to improve recreation fields at the former Osterville Bay Elementary School.

CPC endorses $32,000 study of options

After viewing photos that emphasized the decrepitude of the recreation fields next to the former Osterville Bay Elementary School, the Community Preservation Committee endorsed the recreation department’s request for $32,000 for a conceptual design study for their improvement.

The committee made its OK contingent on receiving word from Town Manger Tom Lynch on the disposition of the town recreation building on the property, which is under study. Committee chair Lindsey Counsell said knowing whether the building will remain would be crucial in redesigning playing fields.

Patti Machado, the town’s director of leisure services, made the case for upgrading the Osterville site. She said that original equipment from the 1950s and a later playground addition do not meet modern safety standards. As an example, she said, old tires are no longer used in such settings; they “retain water and are full of bees.”

The site’s “highly utilized” tennis courts, Machado said, have cracks through which grass is growing. The ball fields are “a complete wreck,” with “big ruts” and in one case, with a basketball court in the outfield.

“It’s such a beautiful piece of land and so underutilized,” Machado said of the area just steps from the village’s downtown.

The study would include two public meetings and come up with up to four design alternatives, according to Machado. She said she hoped the Osterville community would pitch in to help improve the playground the way Centerville villagers did in restoring their Main Street facility.

Machado was happy to report that the study, originally estimated at $47,000, could be done for $32,000.

Some committee members were wary of pushing the project, which is listed third on the recreation commission’s priority list for town-wide facilities improvements, ahead before a comprehensive package is prepared. Machado noted, however, that the Osterville project was in the queue before the commission’s summertime tour of facilities. Also, it’s likely that the priority projects will not be presented as a total package.

The committee’s recommendation to spend $32,000 on the study, which will also provide estimates of maintenance costs, moves on to the town council for a final decision.